This is going to be short as it’s been a long day and I’m very tired. Flying on ElAl was a flash back to the early days after 9/11. The only armed security (automatic weapon armed) we saw at the airport was at the ElAl check in counter. We were screened 3 times before being allowed on the plane. I packed my IPAD that we use for music in the car into the checked luggage. We got pulled aside and asked what it was, how long did I have it, what color was it. I totally understand their caution. Israel is a small nation surrounded by countries that want to see them wiped off the face of the earth. So, if going through extra security is what it takes to keep us safe, we’re ok with that. It was just a startling to see it.
Once on the plane, we had an uneventful 4 1/2-hour flight. Luckily, we had a wheelchair escort get us through immigrations when we arrived, or we’d still be in line. Our driver was waiting for us, and just under an hour later we checked into our hotel. It’s right on the beach and we’re looking forward to seeing it in the daylight as by the time we got here it was almost 6pm and dark.
This pic is from our balcony.
We’ve already met a woman from our tour. She’s a solo traveler and just arrived today from North Carolina. She was pretty exhausted, so we only chatted for a couple of minutes. She seems very nice, though, so it will be fun to get to know her.
Dinner was at a restaurant a short walk from the hotel. It was chicken for me today. It was very tender and quite good.
I don’t know what we’re going to do tomorrow, as the tour doesn’t start until dinner. There doesn’t seem to be much to see in Tel Aviv but I’m sure we’ll find something to do. Going to bed….Shalom.